Wall surfacing



J. T. MILLER WALL SURFACING June 13, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 10, 1944 Ward-H 35 INVENTOR.

BY @awfi lrnj June 13, 1950 J. T. MILLER WALL SURFACING 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 10, 1944 I INKENTOR. dawn/es Patented June 13, 1950 WALL SURFACING James '1. Miller, Niles, Mich., assignor to The Kawneer Company, Niles, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application June 10, 1944, Serial No. 539,684

12 Claims.

The present invention relates to a novel wall facing which may be readily and easily installed over existing surfacing including brick, stone, cement block, frame, etc.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel metal facing for surfacing the Walls, roof or ceilings of buildings, as well as the surfacing of signs, etc., the facing comprising standardized, interengaging panels or units so constructed and arranged that the exterior or interior surfaces of store fronts, industrial buildings, ofiices, filling stations, residences, signs, etc., regardless of the size or contour, may be quickly covered and in a uniform pattern.

The invention further comprehends a novel interengaging and interlocking panel construction which is readily adjustable to compensate for variations in the width of a surface to be covered and thereby eliminating the necessity of having available panels of different widths to insure complete coverage for the surface to be faced. This further eliminates the usual procedure of accurately measuring the width and contour of the surface or surfaces to be faced and pre-forming or pie-fabricating the surfacing at the factory prior to installation.

By the present construction, the workman is supplied with standardized widths of the wall surfacing and these may be quickly applied and adjustably arranged and spaced for uniformly coverin the wall surface. This results in a considerable saving in time, expense and labor required for the installation.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel corner assembly in which a corner or plurality of corners, including a square column, may be covered or surfaced without any exposed fastening means. Furthermore, the invention comprehends a corner section comprising interchanging parts suitably hinged together in such manner as to allow for flexibility of adjustment of any angle from 90 to 270, thereby allowing for continuation of the facing material regardless of the angles of the returns.

The invention further comprehends a novel form of insert that may be employed above a soflit or the like to connect adjoining panels and give continuity and uniformity of surface contour. The panels or units are so designed and arranged that they maybe run along in the same plane above the windows or sash members of a store front or other construction and also turn into the vestibule or lobby at any desired angle and still maintain the same symmetry of design.

Another important advantage of the present construction is that any panel or unit may be readily removed Without disturbing the remainder of the installation. Furthermore, the clips or means for fastening or locking the units or panels together provides a flexible joint which takes up any variation in existing construction and the resulting joint is weather tight and rattle proof, the attaching clips having a spring action against one panel or unit which in turn is forced against the adjacent panel or unit.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efficiency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a view in perspective of a store front assembly embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in horizontal cross section taken in a plane represented by the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in horizontal cross section taken in a plane represented by the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged view in horizontal cross section taken in a plane represented by the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged view in horizontal cross section taken in a plane represented by the line 55 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a further enlarged view of a portion of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a further enlarged view of a portion of Figure 3.

Figures 8 and 9 are further enlarged fragmentary views showing the corner assemblies of Figure 2,.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view in perspective ShQWlng the manner of assembling the facing panels or units to a furring strip.

Figure 11 is a disassembled View in perspective of a panel or unit and an insert, the insert being broken away to show the assembly clips and their mounting in a furring strip.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary enlarged view taken in a plane represented by the line I i-I2 of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary enlarged view taken in a plane represented by the line I3-l3 of Figure .10.

Figures 14 and 15 are views in perspective of the novel clip construction for mounting the facing panels or units onto the furring strip.

Referring more particularly to the illustrative embodiment shown in the drawings, the novel invention comprises a wall facing or surfacing especially adapted for covering the exterior of an existing building, although the novel construction is equally adapted for surfacing the interior or other walls or surfaces. The material employed in the manufacture of the present wall surfacing may be porcelain enamel, enameled or plated steel, bronze, stainless steel, aluminum or any other preferably non-ferrous metal, suitable for the purpose. These panels or units will take the place of such facing materials as marble, granite, structural glass, expensive face brick, stucco, etc., now being installed 01 which may be applied over the existing walls or surfaces of brick, stone, cement block, frame, etc.

The present novel wall surfacing comprises panels or units having the desired surface configuration such as the longitudinally extending grooves or channels and interlocking or interengaging edges of the illustrative embodiment. These panels or units may be made in several standardized widths and due to their flexibility of adjustment, will cover any size or configuration of surface. For example, excellent results have been secured by making these panels or units in widths of approximately 3%, 8 and 12% inches, although any other desired widths may be employed.

In Figure 1 is disclosed a store front having a plurality of show windows I, 2 and 3, transom 4 and door 5 in the vestibule. The surfaces framing these members are shown as covered with the novel wall facing consisting of a series of the panels 01' units. As shown in Figures 2, 8 and 9, this wall facing comprises interengaging and interlocking panels or units 6 disposed at the corners I and 8, with each panel having an arcuate shaped edge or hinge element 9 pivotally mounted in a longitudinally extending joint closure ID of flexible and preferably non-ferrous metal having a central inverted part joining a pair of tubular interlocking sections or arcuate portions providing hinge elements I I and I2 forming a pivotal mounting for the adjacent edges of adjoining panels 6. Each panel is provided with one or more longitudinally extending grooves or channels I3 and an interengaging edge I4 so contoured as to receive in the groove I5 an edge of a flat insert I6. The adjoining panel or unit .12

I7 is provided at one side with an interengaging edge I4 and at its other side with a flat edge I8 adapted to interengage with the edge ll of a similar panel or unit IT.

The edge I8 of a panel I1 is in turn shown as connecting with the intergengaging edge I4 of a panel I9 of the type principally employed at a corner where a right-angle insert 20 may be used, and similar comibnation of panels may be employed around the bulkhead 2|, the surface 22 above the show window and wherever a wall surfacing is desired.

In order to mount the panels or units upon the existing wall surfacing, where desired, the face of the building to be covered is first furred with horizontally disposed furring channels 23 suitably spaced apart. Such spacing may be approximately two to three feet on center and the channels may be secured to the existing surfaces by means of wood screws, expansion shields, etc. These channels should be in substantial plumb alignment so that if the building face is irregular or out of plumb, these furring channels may be shimmed out to bring them into alignment. Clips 24 for securing the panels in place are then placed in spaced relation in the furring channels or strips. Each clip is provided at its top and bottom with spaced upwardly bent tongues 25 adapted to frictionally retain the clip in adjusted position by having the edges thereof bearing against the interior of the flanges 2' of the furring channel. The intermediate tongue 21 projects outside the channel and abuts against the rear surface of the interengaging edges I4 of the panels. The end flange 28 of each clip projects through the opening in the face of the channel and is provided with spaced rearwardly and inwardly projecting tongues 29 adapted to project over and interlock with the upstanding leg 3| on the interengaging edges I4, and a projecting tongue 31 having a spring action whereby when abutting against the rear surface of the end 01' flat edge I8 of an adjacent panel, or the rear of the fiat insert I6 or corner insert 20, forces the outer face of the edge I8, insert I6 or insert 20 against the rear surface I 8a of the adjoining panels which provides a weather tight seal and rattle-proof assembly.

The panels are so constructed and arranged that it is possible to run them along on the same plane above the store front proper and at the same time return into the vestibule at any angle and still retain the same symmetry of design. Furthermore, by providing a flat insert I6, for example, above the soflit 32, there is no break in the continuity of design and the facing appears symmetrical throughout. By reason of the flexible joint construction and the absence of any caulking therebetween as the panels flash each other, any variation in existing construction or in the panels, may be compensated for by the flexibility and adjustability of the retaining clips. In other words, by providing the panels of several standardized sizes and with the spaced grooves or channels I3, providing channels or grooves 33 at the juncture of the adjoining panels, and permitting sliding adjustment of the retaining clips 24, the panels may be individually adjusted sidewise to compensate for any differences in overall width of the surfacing by varying the widths of the channels or grooves 33.

In the assembly of the facing, the furring channels or strips 23 and the base or receiving channel 34 and trim mouldings 35 are secured in position and the spring retaining clips 24 are inserted in the furring channels at approximately the spacing required. The panels are then cut to the desired length and inserted into the receiv ing channel after which the upstanding leg 30 of each panel is secured in place by the tongues 29 of this clip and the insert I6 or fiat edge I8 of an adjoining panel is slid or moved into position. The succeeding panels are similarly assembled and the spacing or channels 33 between the adjoining edges of the panels adjusted to give a uniformity and symmetry of design. A top trim or moulding 36 is adapted to complete the framing of the wall surfacing.

The spring action of the clips in applying pressure against the panels, provides a weather tight and rattle-proof assembly. Due to the adjustability or flexibility of the assembly and the retaining clips being slidable in the furring channels, any panel or unit that has been damaged may be removed without disturbing the rest of the structure. Furthermore, although the panels are shown as running vertical, it will be evident that they may be run horizontal.

Having thus dislosed my invention, I claim:

1. A metal facing for surfacing the walls of existing buildings, comprising spaced furring channels mounted in vertical alignment upon the existing surface to be covered, interengaging panels having their adjacent longitudinal edges in adjustable overlapping relation, and attaching clips adjustably mounted. in the furring channels and interlocking with the edge of one of the panels and tensionally forcing the overlapping edges into a weather tight, abutting engagement, said one panel being adjustable sidewise toward and away from the other panel while in terlocked with said clips to provide a symmetrical appearance.

2. A metal facing for surfacing the walls of existing buildings, comprising spaced furring channels mounted in vertical alignment upon the existing surface to be covered, interengaging panels each having one or more longitudinally extending channels intermediate their edges and their edges overlapping and providing a similar channel thereat, and spring-pressed clips slidably mounted in the furring channels and interlocking with an edge of one of the interengaging panels and forcing the overlapping edges into a weather tight and rattle proof fit.

3. A metal facing for surfacing walls, comprising spaced furring channels mounted in spaced alignment upon the surface to be covered, interengaging panels having their adjacent longitudinal edges in adjustable overlapping relation, attaching clips adjustably mounted in the furring channels and interlocking with the edge of one of the panels and tensionally forcing the overlapping edges into a weather tight, abutting engagement, said one panel being adjustable sidewise toward and away from the other panel while interlocked with said clips.

4, A metal facing for surfacing walls, comprising spaced furring channels mounted in spaced alignment upon the surface to be covered, interen aging panels each having one or more longitudinally extending channels intermediate their edges and their edges overlapping and providing a similar channel thereat, and spring-pressed clips slidably mounted in the furring channels and interlocking with an edge of one of the interengaging panels and forcing the overlapping edges into a weather tight and rattle proof fit.

5. As an article of manufacture, sectional facing material consisting of a panel of sheet material including a plurality of flat bottomed channels regularly spaced apart from each other to outer face surfaces between the channels and lower face surfaces in the channels, the panels including at one edge a flat tongue having an upper surface lying in the same plane as the lower face surfaces but of greater width than the width of the channels to provide flat sealing surface on the face of the tongue, with a short perpendicular flange extending inwardly from the extreme end of the tongue; together with a coupling socket extending along the opposite edge of the panel and including a reverse bend in the sheet material to provide an inner sealing surface in the same plane as the lower face surfaces but rearwardly disposed; a second reverse bend in the material to define a mounting portion below the plane of the channels, said mounting portion extending beyond the edge of the first reverse bend and having a short perpendicular outwardly extending flange at its extreme edge; the flange terminating at a point short of the plane of the inner sealing surface to permit the socket to receive the tongue of a like panel in the plane of the lower face surfaces.

6. As an article of manufacture, sectional facing material consisting of a panel of sheet material including at one edge a flat tongue offset below the plane of the face surfaces of the panel and having a fiat sealing surface along its edge, with a, short perpendicular flange extending inwardly from the extreme end of the tongue; together with a coupling socket extending along the opposite edge of the panel and including a reverse bend in the sheet material to provide an inner sealing surface in the same plane as the sealing surface of the tongue but rearwardly disposed; a second reverse bend in the material to define a mounting portion below the plane of the sealing surfaces, said mounting portion extending beyond the edge of the first reverse bend and having a short perpendicular outwardly extending flange at its extreme edge; the flange terminating at a point short of the plane of the inner sealing surface to permit the socket to receive the tongue of a like panel.

7. As an article of manufacture, sectional facing material consisting of a panel of sheet material including a plurality of flat bottomed channels regularly spaced apart from each other to define outer face surfaces between the channels and lower face surfaces in the channels, the panels including at one edge a flat tongue having an upper surface lying in the same plane as the lower face surfaces but of greater width than the width of the channels to provide a flat sealing surface on the face of the tongue at its edge, together with a coupling socket extending along the opposite edge of the panel and including a reverse bend in the sheet material to proi'ii'de an inner sealing surface in the same plane as the lower face surfaces but rearwardly disposed; a second reverse bend in the material to define a mounting portion below the plane of the channels having a retaining shoulder at its outer side, the shoulder terminating at a point short of the plane of the inner sealing surface to permit the socket to receive the tongue of a like panel in the plane of the lower face surfaces.

3. In a wall facing material consisting of paired panels having tongue and groove joints with each other, the improvement that resides in the provision of panels of thin sheet material wherein the groove comprises a double reverse bend of the sheet material to provide a groove of width greatly in excess of the thickness of sheet material, with one side of the groove extending beyond the other and having a short perpendicular flange partially closing the groove: the tongue of the adjoining panel also being of thin sheet material and having at its edge a rearwardly extending flange received in the groove; with an anchoring device extending around the outer end of the perpendicular flange in the groove and having means comprising a pair of latch hooks to engage the flange and urge it inwardly against a mounting surface, together with spring means to urge the tongue outwardly to bear against the inner surface of the groove.

9. In a wall facing material consisting of paired panels having tongue and groove joints with each other, the improvement that resides in the provision of panels of thin sheet material wherein the groove comprises a double reverse bend of the sheet material to provide a groove of width greatly in excess of the thickness of sheet material, with a smooth flat sealing Surface inwardly disposed on the outer side of the groove, with the inner side of the groove extending beyond the outer side and having a short flange -7 extending outwardly to partially close the groove: the tongue of the adjoining panel also being of thin sheet material and having at its edge a smooth fiat sealing surface received in the groove and bearing against the sealing surface of the groove, together with means to engage the flange of the first mentioned panel and urge it inwardly against a mounting surface, and means to urge the tongue outwardly to force the sealing surface of the tongue to bear against the inner sealing surface of the groove.

10. In a wall facing material consisting of paired panels having tongue and groove joints with each other, the improvement that resides in the provision of panels of thin sheet material wherein the groove is of width greatly in excess of the thickness of sheet material, with an inwardly facing sealing surface on the outer side of the groove; the tongue of the adjoining panel also being of thin sheet material and having at its edge an outwardly facing sealing surface received in the groove and bearing against the sealing surface of the groove, with an anchoring device extending into the groove and having means comprising a pair of latch hooks to engage the grooved panel and urge it inwardly against a mounting surface, and means comprising a spring pad to urge the tongue outwardly to force the sealing surface of the tongue to bear against the inner sealing surface of the groove.

11. A facing material for wall surfaces comprising, in combination, furring strips of long narrow formation and of substantially uniform cross section at all points of their length, the strips including continuous channels having side flanges and inwardly extending lips on the flanges receiving the mounting surfaces of an exterior facing panel at any point thereon, the lips comprising retaining surfaces adapted to secure a mounting clip in the channel at any point along the length of the strip yet permit longitudinal shifting of the clips; together with exterior facing panels of uniform cross section at all points of their length and having a continuous mounting portion extending from end to end of the panels and a continuous flange along said mounting portion; and mounting clips comprising sheet metal plates formed to include a, center section having convex frictional lower contact surfaces bearing on the bottom of the furring strip channel, a pair of spring retaining wings extending upwardly and outwardly from the contact surfaces on each side of the center portion and engaging the lips on the side flanges of the channel, the wings including convex upper frictional contact surfaces thereon, together with a bracket formed integrally with the clip and extending outwardly from the strip; the bracket having a pair of anchor tabs at the outer end in slidable engagement with the mounting portions of the panels and securing them to the furring strips, and latch hooks engaging the flange of the panel to retain the clips in position.

12. A facing material for wall surfaces comprising, in combination, a furring strip consisting of a relatively wide fiat channel of sheet material with inwardly extending lips along the flanges of the channel and central screw holes in the channel for securing it to a wall surface; a mounting clip consisting of a sheet metal plate narrower but longe than the span between the lips of the channel to permit the clip to be inserted into the channel between the lips and rotated to lock itself under the lips of the flanges, the mounting clip including a bracket extending out of the channel to a point above the plane of the flange lips, and anchor tabs at the outer end of the bracket; together with a facing panel of sheet material including a mounting surface bearing directly against the exterior surface of the flange lips of the furring strip and having a perpendicular flange extending outwardly from the furring strip and engaged by the anchor tabs of the mounting clip.

JAMES T. MILLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

